Stampede at Sandhya Theater: Police Commissioner CV Anand Reveals Police Efforts

Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand addressed the stampede incident at Sandhya Theater, explaining that the police had rejected the theater's request to allow actor Allu Arjun to attend. “Whether the theater management communicated this denial to Allu Arjun or not is unclear,” he said during a press briefing.

During the premiere of Pushpa-2, Allu Arjun was seen greeting fans from atop a vehicle, a moment captured in a video shared by CV Anand. Referring to this footage, he questioned, “Does this still not make the situation clear to you?”

The Commissioner confirmed that an investigation into the incident is ongoing and emphasized that legal advice would guide the next steps. He acknowledged that police officers faced significant challenges while trying to reach Allu Arjun amidst the chaos.

CV Anand interacted with the police personnel present during the incident. One officer highlighted that both theaters in the area shared a single entry and exit point, which led the police to advise against Allu Arjun’s attendance. The officer recounted fearing for his own life during the stampede.

The police stated they had informed Allu Arjun’s manager about the situation, including the death of a woman and a boy’s critical condition due to the stampede. However, the manager reportedly refused to allow the police to approach the actor. “We warned that the situation could spiral out of control if Allu Arjun did not leave the premises,” said the officer, adding that the actor chose to stay and watch the film in its entirety despite the escalating situation.

To address the crowd and maintain safety, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) had to intervene, the Police Commissioner stated.